This volume contains a selection of authoritative essays exploring the
central questions raised by the conjectured technological singularity.
In informed yet jargon-free contributions written by active research
scientists, philosophers and sociologists, it goes beyond philosophical
discussion to provide a detailed account of the risks that the singularity
poses to human society and, perhaps most usefully, the possible actions
that society and technologists can take to manage the journey to any
singularity in a way that ensures a positive rather than a negative
impact on society. The discussions provide perspectives that cover technological,
political and business issues. The aim is to bring clarity and rigor
to the debate in a way that will inform and stimulate both experts and
interested general readers.